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Quizzes > Science

8 Characteristics of Life Quiz: Check What Makes Something Living

Quick, free characteristics of life test with instant feedback and answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Scarlett NazarioUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of cell dna plant animal test tube icons symbolizing eight life characteristics on teal background

This quiz helps you check your grasp of the 8 characteristics of life and how they appear in cells, growth, reproduction, and response. Answer quick questions and get instant feedback to spot what to review next. For extra practice, try our cell biology quiz, explore structures with an animal cell quiz, or drill fundamentals with biology multiple choice questions.

Which scenario best illustrates homeostasis in humans?
Growing taller during adolescence
Sweating to cool the body when overheated
Eating to gain mass
Learning a new language
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Which of the following is NOT one of the 8 characteristics of life?
Ability to move from place to place
Made of one or more cells
Respond to stimuli
Use energy (metabolism)
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Fire is considered alive because it grows and uses energy
True
False
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Which molecule stores hereditary information in most living organisms?
Cellulose
DNA
ATP
Cholesterol
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A single-celled amoeba is living because it is made of a cell and performs all basic life functions
True
False
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Seed germination best demonstrates which characteristic of life?
Homeostasis
Adaptation by evolution
Response to stimuli
Growth and development
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All living organisms must reproduce sexually to be considered alive
False
True
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A bacterium dividing by binary fission exemplifies which trait of life?
Response to stimuli
Reproduction
Adaptation by evolution
Homeostasis
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Pupils constricting in bright light is an example of which characteristic of life?
Response to stimuli
Adaptation by evolution
Reproduction
Metabolism
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An infertile mule is still considered alive despite being unable to reproduce
True
False
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A crystal growing in a supersaturated solution exemplifies biological growth
True
False
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A bird shivering to generate heat on a cold day demonstrates which characteristic of life?
Homeostasis
Heredity
Adaptation by evolution
Reproduction
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Which process directly demonstrates metabolism in cells?
Passive settling of particles
Evaporation of sweat
Diffusion of oxygen in water
Cellular respiration producing ATP
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Viruses are universally considered alive because they contain DNA or RNA
False
True
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Which scenario best illustrates adaptation by evolution?
A plant closing stomata at noon
Increase in frequency of dark-colored peppered moths after industrial soot darkened trees
A person exercising and building muscle over a month
A lizard basking to warm itself each morning
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All life on Earth shares which feature related to heredity?
The same body temperature
The same DNA sequence
The same number of chromosomes
A nearly universal genetic code for translating nucleic acids into proteins
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Maintaining blood glucose near a set point using insulin and glucagon is an example of
Hormonal negative feedback for homeostasis
Positive feedback for development
Genetic drift
Chemotaxis
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Which organisms use chemical energy from inorganic compounds to fix carbon?
Chemoautotrophic bacteria at hydrothermal vents oxidizing hydrogen sulfide
Mushrooms decomposing wood
Mammals digesting fats
Green plants performing photosynthesis
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Which statement best differentiates cellular metabolism from nonliving combustion (burning)?
Metabolism uses enzyme-controlled, regulated pathways at biological temperatures
Metabolism only occurs in multicellular organisms
Metabolism always produces visible flames
Combustion requires enzymes to proceed
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Which observation most directly indicates active metabolism in yeast?
Production of carbon dioxide during fermentation of glucose
Sedimentation of cells at the bottom of a tube
Increase in turbidity after shaking the flask
Presence of cell walls under a microscope
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the 8 characteristics of life -

    List and define each of the eight characteristics of life, gaining a clear understanding of what distinguishes living organisms from non-living matter.

  2. Explain the significance of each trait -

    Describe how each of the 8 traits of life contributes to the survival, growth, and reproduction of organisms.

  3. Differentiate living from non-living entities -

    Use the 8 life characteristics to accurately distinguish between living organisms and inanimate objects or processes.

  4. Apply characteristics in quiz scenarios -

    Demonstrate your knowledge by answering interactive questions that test your grasp of the 8 characteristics of life.

  5. Evaluate real-world examples -

    Assess various organisms and determine which of the 8 living characteristics they exhibit.

  6. Recall examples illustrating each characteristic -

    Provide concrete examples for each of the 8 traits of life, reinforcing your comprehension of each property.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mnemonic "Crazy Monkeys Hold Hands; Rivers Go Round Always" -

    This catchy phrase maps each word to Cellular organization, Metabolism, Homeostasis, Heredity, Response to stimuli, Growth & development, Reproduction, and Adaptation, streamlining recall of all 8 characteristics of life. Endorsed in many university intro biology courses (e.g., MIT OpenCourseWare), it helps distinguish living organisms by their defining traits.

  2. Cellular Organization & Complexity -

    All living things exhibit hierarchical organization from molecules to cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, as detailed in sources like Harvard's The Cell Cell Biology textbook. For example, muscle cells form tissues that build your heart, illustrating how order supports function in organisms.

  3. Metabolism & Energy Processing -

    Metabolism encompasses catabolic pathways that release energy and anabolic pathways that consume it, governed by ∆G < 0 for spontaneous reactions (Nelson & Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry). Think of mitochondria as a cell's "power plants," converting glucose and O₂ into ATP during respiration.

  4. Regulation & Homeostasis -

    Homeostasis relies on negative feedback loops - like thermoregulation in humans where the hypothalamus triggers sweating or shivering (Guyton & Hall Physiology). This property maintains internal conditions (pH, temperature) within narrow limits despite external changes.

  5. Reproduction, Heredity & Evolutionary Adaptation -

    Living organisms reproduce using DNA to transfer genetic information, following Mendelian inheritance patterns described by the Hardy - Weinberg equation (p²+2pq+q²=1). Over generations, natural selection drives adaptation - antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a modern example of evolution in action (Nature Journals).

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